On 10 December 2024, the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies (PSCD) in collaboration with the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Democracy (RedLad) – the Civil Society Pillar Secretariat, and with the support of the Civil Society Pillar Focal Point organization in Guatemala – Acción Ciudadana, carried out the first consultation on “Voices of Democracy” in Guatemala City, under the USG funded project “Advancing the Warsaw Declaration Principles Globally”.

The consultation focused on the role of civil society which, working with the business sector, indigenous populations, and the international community, successfully defended the integrity of the democratic election process in 2023 against serious odds. The event gathered approximately 100 participants representing different sectors and regions of Guatemala, including indigenous communities.

The event was opened by the CoD Secretary General, Dr. Mantas Adomenas, with opening remarks also provided by H.E. Monica Bolaños Perez, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, and Enrique de Obarrio, Chair of the CoD Civil Society Pillar.

An expert panel helped frame the conversation, highlighting challenges faced in defending the elections in 2023, strategies that succeeded and reflections on how to ensure the resilience of democracy in the country. The panel discussion was moderated by Patricia Galdamez, Senior Advisor. Panelists: H.E. Monica Bolaños Perez, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Lionel Toriello, Guatemalan entrepreneur and civic leader, Mr. Diego Ceto, first indigenous ancestral municipal maya ixil mayor from Nebaj, Quiché; and Dr. Marta Elena Casaús Arzú, academic, sociologist and historian.

The panel discussion was followed by a workshop aimed at identifying and prioritizing actionable solutions to defend and strengthen electoral integrity, leveraging insights from the role of civil society actors and collaborative efforts. The workshop was led by Mr. Andrea Venzon, PSCD consultant and project manager for Voices of Democracy,  with the support of Ms. Angela Carrillo, Executive Director of RedLad.

Insights gathered around this exercise will inform a final report that will be developed by the PSCD with citizen-led recommendations to prepare democracies for current and future challenges.